Synthetic Turf Council Announces Winners of its 2011 Search for the Real Field of Dreams Contest

ATLANTA, GA – Proving there are no limits on the human spirit, the
two Grand Prize Winners of the Synthetic Turf Council’s 2011
Search for the Real Field of Dreams Contest – Taylor’s Dream Boundless
Playground in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Van Horn High School in Independence,
Missouri - overcame numerous obstacles to provide local youth with
opportunities to play outside, enjoy sports and build self-esteem.

"Our annual contest recognizes synthetic turf
athletic fields, parks and playgrounds in the U.S. and Canada that have made an
exceptional impact on their local communities,” said Rick Doyle, President of
the Synthetic Turf Council. "Their inspirational stories showcase how
perseverance can make any dream come true.”

Four years ago, an 11-year-old named Taylor
Reuille in Fort Wayne, Indiana realized that kids with disabilities couldn’t
enjoy nearby playgrounds. She was
determined to bring a "boundless playground” to the community, a truly inclusive
space where children of all abilities gain the important developmental and
physical benefits of unstructured play. Her dream became a reality when the Fort Wayne
Parks & Recreation Department opened Taylor's
Dream Boundless Playground in June 2011. The stable synthetic grass is ADA
accessible, allowing wheelchairs, braces, and other assistive equipment to
access the facility easily and safely.
Now thousands of children and adults with disabilities have the chance
to play with their peers.

Van
Horn High School in Kansas City, Missouri was a failing school with a high
dropout rate, low test scores, truancy, and a neglected athletic program that
hadn’t played a home football or soccer game in 37 years. Following an election
and a court battle, Van Horn and six other schools were annexed into the
Independence, Missouri school district in 2007. After getting the academic
programs on track, the system installed a new synthetic turf field. Having a
place to play and practice sports has helped grades increase and the school now
boasts a 95% graduation rate. "This field is something for the community to
rally behind,” said Jason Dial, Assistant Superintendent of the Independence
School District. "Not only can we now host home games, it gives the school a
new face and a new culture. It will allow the community to be a part of the
school.”

In addition to the two Grand Prize Winners,
outstanding synthetic turf fields were honored in both an Athletic Fields and a
Community Parks and Fields category. Notre
Dame Academy in Park Hills, Kentucky was named the Top Winner in the
Athletic Fields Category. The 100-year-old all girls’ high school never had
their own athletic field, causing coaches, students and parents to scramble for
places to play and practice sports. The
new synthetic turf field immediately opened the door to participation for
dozens of young women, engendered achievement and expanded playing time in the
community.

National Finalist Ridgeland
High School in Rossville, Georgia also faced its share of challenges, including
a previous field that fell into decline. Since installing their new synthetic field,
the team won another regional championship in 2010 and advanced to the state
playoffs.

Canyon
De Chelly Elementary School in Chinle, Arizona, a Navajo Nation school, was
named Top Winner in the Community Parks and Fields Category for their new synthetic
grass playground, which gives students the opportunity to play on a soft grass-like
surface in the desert climate. Since
more than 30% of the Navajo population is diabetic, the new playground comes at
a time when many recognize the importance of exercise for better health. National
Finalist honors went to the City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Department in
Lakeland, Florida for Sunflower
Preschool Playground in Barnett Family Park. As the first multi-colored grass playground
nationwide, the unique playground provides thousands of toddlers and their
families age-appropriate developmental play experiences, accessibility for strollers
and wheelchairs, and a creative play space to spark the imagination.

The Synthetic Turf
Council created its annual Search for the Real Field of
Dreams to recognize the power that synthetic turf has to transform the lives of
youth and enhance public wellness. Independent judges for the 2011 Search
included Lisa Speckhardt of Landscape Architecture magazine, Christine
Sima of Parks and Rec Business and Ron
Hall of TURF Magazine. Visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org to
review the full story on each winner.

About the Synthetic Turf Council

Based in Atlanta, the
Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to
assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of
synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports,
landscape and residential applications. The organization is also a
resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and
environmental impact of synthetic turf. Membership includes builders,
landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers,
suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other
specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.